who we are
Mission: The New Orleans Youth Justice Advocates (YJA) Coalition is a group of organizations and community members who work on behalf of children in New Orleans. Guided by the principles of transformative justice, we challenge systems that harm and instead work to create pathways where every child can thrive.
Vision: We envision a future where young people feel free, supported, and safe; justice is transformative, local, and personal; and young people’s well-being is prioritized by leaders and communities.
If you or your organization would like to sign on, please email nolayouthjusticeadvocates@gmail.com.
Our Three Pillars
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Hold children accountable in ways that are developmentally appropriate.
Allow children to enter adulthood without any barriers to their success.
Do not prosecute children in adult court and never incarcerate them in adult jails or prisons.
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Do not criminalize Black children for normal adolescent behaviors.
End the over-policing and surveillance of Black neighborhoods and schools.
Invest in resources that children and families need to thrive.
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Recognize and respond to childhood trauma as a public health issue, not a crime issue.
Use restorative justice in lieu of prosecution as often as possible.
Do not incarcerate children.
JOIN US
Email nolayouthjusticeadvocates@gmail.com to join our coalition
